Bloomingayls

Let's talk art. . . .

I just made the drive home from Scottsdale to Chandler babbling to myself the entire time.  

Several months ago our book club read "The Rules of Civility" the focus of which was a "click" of twenty somethings in the 1940's, totally self-involved to the point that their entire frame of reference was limited to the narrow niche they carved out for themselves.  It was really a great book; one where they peeled the grape, and in hindsight had a whistful OMG moment.  That's just one of my thoughts this evening.

The other was an epiphany I had in my own twenties when I realized the narrow minded reality of a college campus.

I was excited by the prospects of tonight's class - the "ADVANCED" students were showing up with some of their latest work.  I'm dreaming of teachable moments and inspired art.  I am not a good people person - I'm just not.  I had every intention of remaining silent and for the most part I did until the last gifted artist put up an art journal type page she had done and a photo rendition of the same that looked very much like a printed digital page; she scanned her original. . .So dummy me ~ I'm looking at what she did thinking, WOW you could use the Bamboo, draw and print individual images on water color paper, turn them into a transfer or a transparency, cut them out and create a fantastic tactile collage.  Ya know I think I need to do this. . .why? because tonight I had some one who doesn't know me, who doesn't know Jack about the computer look me in the eyes and say "I don't want to end up like Cloth, Paper Scissors." which by the way is what she thinks Claudine Hellmuth is. There was some extreme elitism going on here and it would seem that without firing a shot, without ever sharing my art, I have the appearance of being a crafty little mid-west scrapbooker.  as Dev would say Unbelievable.

So what's the teachable moment in all this - sometimes when you're on a mission, the only way to EXPAND is to put up and shut up with a smile :) 

 

BLOOMINGAYLS ON THE WEB

For the longest time I have been mulling over the idea of a website for Bloomingayls.  I shied away concerned that it wouldn't work with my Typepad blog or that my limited computer skills would get in the way of a good web design.

Yesterday, Erin took a web design class as a part of her continuing education, and she was on the phone telling me "Mom you need to check this out" on the drive home.  She was through the door at 4:30PM and by 7:00 I had a website.

Initially I elected to have it hosted through Weebly, but this morning I made the leap to my own domain. . . Check this out BLOOMINGAYLS.  The home page indicates that it's under construction, but the ABOUT page is complete and I've linked the blog and the website.  

I am so exited to have this EXPANDED platform; finally a site to discuss the nuts and bolts of my projects, to share all the wonder of the paper arts and mixed media world.  WOW!

What ya doing. . . .

Two out of four pages in the baby book that features "firsts".  This book is too adorable, and has been so much fun.  Yesterday while purchasing paper for my class design assignment, I zeroed in on new papers by Authentique to complete the last segment of the book - "Kickin' it with Family and Friends".  Aside from the paper, I love the phrase sticker sheets that work great in my Smash book and with scrap pages.

Last weekend I stopped in at Craftfusion to buy this rusting material after purchasing a couple box frames from Ikea.  The next stop was Home Depot to pick-up metal adhesive tape found in the plumbing section ~ not to be confused with foil tape.  All this is slated to be used in a very "cool" project (love the pun) - Jen in Paradise, featuring the new Graphic 45 tropical paper.  What I wouldn't do for some extra time to start on this :)

I have enjoyed cooking from recipes found on Pinterest.  Last weekend I did salmon with a potatoe chip-dijon crust and these fresh green beans covered in sauteed mushrooms.  Earlier in the week we did the roasted brocolli with pine nuts, parmesan cheese. . .Yum  

My blog sat this past week while I did.  Not exactly what I've been shooting for, but I'm embarking on an amazing journey that is all about EXPAND.

Monday I attended my first college art class with Carol Panero-Smith.  There was time to meet and greet; for us beginners there was time to discuss the elements of design before heading off to create a five 5 1/2"X 5 1/2" panel story, done completely with paper.  We are NOT to convey the story in literal terms, but instead create shapes that evoke perceptions, and that in the end will have the viewer saying "I get it".  Aside from the rules of design, the point of this exercise is to think outside the box.  Oh and did I mention we are limited to using black and cream or white paper plus one color.  I chose spring green!  Quite the creative puzzle!

While I haven't been writing, I have been reading alot.  I received an email from Amazon re: Becky Higgins 'Project Life'.  This is a year long scrapbook project that is all about pictures and stories Many commercial scrapbookers have taken it up, and I've long admired their use of Becky's products, and the awesome treasures they end up with.  

Here are my thoughts on this - my plate is bulging as I dabble with this or that, working to grow and better understand art; and by art I mean with paper and design, spiritual enlightenment, photographs and recently food.  At the same time, I have this tremendous catalogue of pictures I've taken that never make it out of my computer, and I realize, especially having Dev and Erin in the house that there is a constant list of accomplishments, and slices of our lives that die in time because they aren't documented.   So today I bit the bullet and bought the project life binder and cards.  I chose MM divided page protectors over the Higgins' product because they are available and cost less. I love the simplicity.  Now I have to decide do I catch up January or have a year that runs from February to January 2013. . .hmmmm. . .  

Just got off the phone with Jen and I'm reminded about deadlines.  While I'm not making promises, I'm hoping to rekindle discipline when it comes to the blog.  Here's to expanding - here's to making this a creative weekend.

 

Tag it. . . .

Digital composition printed on patterned paper, matted with foam tape and edged in dark brown ink. Debated bling on each of the hearts, and ended up just using a medium piece of blue bling in the center of the printed flower.  Digital elements from Weeds & Wildflowers.

View of the entire layout. . .Sitting with Diane on Sunday, listening to Effy talk about her favorite "digital" designer, Tangi Baxter made me realize that I am not alone in my love of computer options to enhance my paper scraps.

In the past I've done this layout using chip board pieces for the title.  To get it all in, I would have to split the words between a two page layout.  Ultimately it reduced the space for photos and journaling.  I couldn't help but think there had to be a better way.

Several years ago I was making book titles using the same technique used for this layout title "wink and a smile".  I always printed on bright white paper, so in my musing about the best way to create this piece, I decided on the neutral patterned paper from Authentique.  I was blown away by the results.  It's the willingness to let go of the predictability of what you know that will allow your creativity to EXPAND. The beauty of this is the movement from one platform to the next as each new technique inspires.  ENJOY!

INSPIRATION

 

Just one of the cool backgrounds I created at Dianes as we watched the Church of Art and played together as we have for over 50 years ~ too much fun.

The page that I did was inspired by this Pinterest post of Sharpie Tie-dying found at Sun Scholars.  It is a fantastic kid project that I can see Dev and I trying once the weather improves.

More important was the EXPANSION of this fabric art project to paper.  I began with a doodle design using Sharpie colored markers and then added alcohol to see if it would move the ink.  One detail we discovered was that you need at least 91% rubbing alcohol to make this technique work. 

Diane and good friend Karol recently took a class at Craft Fusion.  The boxes they did made me want to rush on out to IKEA and put my own spin on this wonderful art form. Their finished product is beautiful.   Yesterday, Diane did a background in peach and teal, that she finished off with two stamped dragonflies and glitter.  It will be perfect in the white version of this same IKEA frame.  What really, really excited me was the use of metal tape on the back which they dyed using alcohol ink.  This product has been high on my list for months, and I was so impressed when Diane was able to share just where in Home Depot I could find this stuff.  I'm there!

Now I want to share the expanded creative process.  I've now confirmed that you can draw with a colored sharpie and add rubbing alcohol to the mixture to move the ink and gain control of color and design as you create your own "alcohol ink".  Second, are the proven results when you apply purchased alcohol ink to metal.  Something else I know is that metal air conditioning tape embosses beautifully in your Cuttle Bug or Big Shot. . . so now imagine embossed metal tape, colored with a sharpies and the ink set with a ordinary rubbing alcohol. . . .ENJOY!